Serving Our Seniors Magazine: Jan - Mar 2022

Lake Erie Love Itsuko wanted to learn English, so their dates always included homework – learning to speak English. She said, “He spoke pretty good Japanese.” The two dated for about one year. “I asked her to marry me. We went down to the American embassy and got married. We didn’t have a wedding.” They explained, Jons family was not able to come to Japan and Itsuko’s family was not fond of Americans. A year later their son, Alan, was born. Four years later a daughter, Jo-Ann, was born. In 1984 they moved to the United States. Although they would go out and socialize with other couples, Itsuko found it difficult to make American friends. She remembers being home-sick for a very long time. To Jon’s surprise he learned Itsuko was an exceptional seamstress. After the children were in school, she found employment with “Bridgettes” and “Brides World” making dresses. They both acknowledged that marriage, for them, hasn’t been easy. They argue a lot – even today, but they make up quickly, too. I asked what they believe is responsible for the two of them staying together? Jon said, “Actions speak louder than words”. He also believes that because his parents never divorced, this caused him to remain dedicated to his marriage. Itsuko nodded that the same was true for her. Jon admires her commitment to him and the family. “I remember she stuck with me when I was unemployed for a year.” For Itsuko, she admires her husband’s dedication to her. She recalled on two different occasions, “I was in the hospital and he was there every day. He would not go anywhere. He would stay and care for me.” She knows she can always rely on her husband to be there for her. 8